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A giant panda sculpture has been installed at New Era Square – a £66m Asia-inspired development at St Mary’s Gate, Sheffield’s newest public space. Part of the site’s wider art installation, the largest panda, which is an impressive four metres high, has been mounted on the rooftop corner of New Era Square’s core office building. The panda is a symbol for friendship and peace in Chinese culture, and the joyful display is now clearly visible to Sheffield’s public when approaching from the city centre or driving by on the ring road. As main contractor of the project, we were given the delicate task of hoisting the panda, which weighs a whopping 1,350kg – about the same as an average car – onto its new rooftop home. B+K Regional Director, Christian Parnell, said: “The New Era scheme has been a major project for us since we started on site in November 2015. I’d like to think that the entire project team, including our client, have become friends and it is fitting, therefore, that the final part of the scheme is to lift the panda, symbol of friendship, onto the roof of the building. It has been a privilege to be involved with this development.” The main panda, along with two smaller pandas – one clambering up the side of a pillar and one resting on a bench – is the creation of David Wei of Hatch Architects. A UK-qualified architect, Wei is renowned for producing visually inspiring art works for flagship Chinese developments – including a giant panda art installation on the side of a shopping centre in Sheffield’s sister city of Chengdu in China. Upon arriving in the UK last month, the panda was then fabricated by local Sheffield firm Campbell Design and Engineering Ltd. Rongmin Qin, Executive Director at New Era Developments, said: “With New Era Square, our ambition has always been to deliver a true example of what modern Asia has to offer. Going far beyond the classic China Town experience in the UK, the development marries the excitement and dynamism of modern Asia with the best of Western culture. “We also wanted to create something special for the city of Sheffield. Now more than ever, we are seeing the important role that open public spaces within our busy urban environment play in our mental health and wellbeing. We believe that New Era Square and its bold art installations is truly unique in the UK and complements Sheffield’s creative personality perfectly. “It’s an iconic new landmark for residents and visitors.” Finishing touches are currently being added to the square, which supports the long-term aim to better connect London Road with the City Centre. The development also features a mix of quality office space, apartments, contemporary restaurant and retail units, and an 83-space underground car park.
Bowmer + Kirkland has announced a new sponsorship partnership with Derbyshire County FA, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to supporting local grassroots football across the county.
Bowmer + Kirkland (B+K) has announced that it will be supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) as its official charity partner for the next two years, committing to raise vital funds to support young people facing cancer across the UK through a wide range of fundraising initiatives.
A topping out ceremony has been held at Glenbrook’s latest build-to-rent scheme, Regency Works in Leeds.
Bowmer + Kirkland (B+K) will host its first fringe event alongside UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May 2026, inviting clients, investors and industry partners to connect during the UK’s leading real estate and infrastructure gatherings.
First aid colleagues across two live Bowmer + Kirkland projects have successfully completed a specialist Tower Crane Emergency First Responder training course, enhancing our teams’ ability to respond to emergencies in some of the most challenging environments on site.
